DeCoutere testifies in Ghomeshi sex assault trial

Feb 4, 2016 | News

Britnei Bilhete, Christy Farr and Jeremy Appel

Trailer Park Boys actress Lucy DeCoutere took to the stand Thursday as the second complainant in the sexual assault trial of ex-CBC host Jian Ghomeshi.

DeCoutere, who has waived her right to remain anonymous, testified that the two went back to Ghomeshi’s house after a dinner date, kissed and then he pushed her against the wall by her throat and slapped her three times.

“He hit me a couple times, looked at me, hit me again, then stopped,” she testified.

“It’s impossible to consent to something you’re not asked (about),” DeCouture said when asked by the Crown if she consented to the violence.

The complainant said she continued corresponding with Ghomeshi after her alleged assault in his Riverdale home because she felt pity for him.

“I felt sorry for him because he seemed to think it an appropriate thing to do,” she testified.

Ghomeshi’s lawyer Marie Henein then revealed e-mails DeCoutere sent to friends saying, “f— Ghomeshi…I want him f—— decimated” and “this guy is a s— show. It’s time to flush,” indicating a lack of sympathy.

DeCoutere also conceded that she neglected to tell the media and police that she kissed Ghomeshi goodbye after the night in question, a fact she mentioned in that morning’s testimony for the first time.

“I’m going to suggest your memory didn’t improve after 19 media interviews and a police statement,” Henein quipped.

Ghomeshi’s counsel revealed photographs of him and DeCoutere the day after the alleged assault, cuddling in Riverdale Park. DeCoutere said she wasn’t aware those pictures existed.

“Getting sexually assaulted and punched in the head is not a pleasant experience … Even though it didn’t put their lives at risk, some of them felt their lives were at risk.” – Jennifer Leigh O’Neill, a sexual assault survivor

Earlier, the actress spoke of an incident at a karaoke event in 2004 where Ghomeshi took the microphone and imposed himself on her performance. The song was “Hit Me Baby One More Time,” which DeCoutere said was “intensely ironic.”

Thursday’s proceedings began with a media lawyer representing the Star, CBC and various other news outlets requesting the release of an image the first complainant sent to Ghomeshi after her alleged assault.

The picture was of her lying on a Toronto beach in a red string bikini. She had not disclosed that she sent a picture to Ghomeshi.

Judge William Horkins declined, citing the “judicially recognized historical underreporting of sexual offences.”

“You don’t need to see it to get the picture,” the judge concluded.

Supporters of the alleged victims who have been following the story gathered outside the Old City Hall courthouse with signs saying, “Ghomeshi Is Not an Isolated Incident” and “Defense Tactics = Rape Mythology.”

“Getting sexually assaulted and punched in the head is not a pleasant experience … Even though it didn’t put their lives at risk, some of them felt their lives were at risk,” said Jennifer Leigh O’Neill, a sexual assault survivor who took her attacker to court last year and won.

Ghomeshi has pleaded not guilty to four counts of sexual assault and one count of overcoming resistance through choking, all from three separate complainants.